Fare-box.



W. T. COOK.

FARE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1913.

1,105,621, Patented Aug.4,1914,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. T. COOK.

FARE BOX.

A P P L I G A T I O N P I L E D M A Y 3 1 9 1 3. 1,105,621 Patented Aug. 4; 1914.

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FARE BOX.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 3, 1912.

Patented Aug. 4, 191 1 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

CZX M' THE NORRIS PETERS CQ. PHOTO-LITHD.. WASHINGTON. D. C.'

'7? w we UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER T. COOK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FARE-BOX.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER T. Coon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fare-Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to fare boxes or money collection receptacles, such as are at present used largely upon street cars and the like and also to some extent in collecting a mission fees to fairs, recreation parks, ferries, dance halls and in other places where a definite fare or admission fee is charged. Inasmuch, however, as the present use for devices of this character is most largely in connection with street railways, the following description will bear particular reference to this use, but without any intention to limit the applicability of the invention.

In my copending application, filed April 1913, Serial No. 762,816, I have disclosed and claimed a highly convenient and efficient fare box of the same type as that to which this invention relates.

The main objects of each of the inventions are the same, namely; the improvement of devices of this type in point of simplicity, reliability, cheapness and security; the provision of a fare box having a removable receptacle for the reception of the fares, said box being arranged to be tightly closed and locked upon the withdrawal of the same; the provision of novel and simplified means for preventing the escape or discharge of coins, tokens, or tickets from the inspection box unless the collection receptacle be in place ready to receive tl e same; the provision of means for preventing the removal of the collection receptacle except while the passageway between the inspection box and re ceptacle is open, so that no coins, tokens, or tickets can be left within the inspection box; the provision of means absolutely preventing the removal. of the collection receptacle without actual locking of the cover thereof; the provision of means for preventing the insertion of the collection receptacle into the casing except with the cover open so that fares can be transferred from the inspection box into the same; the provision of a new and improved construction and arrangement of parts so as entirely to prevent access to Specification of Illetters Patent.

Application filed May 3, 1913.

Patented A11 4, 1914.

Serial No. 765,250.

the securing devices whereby the parts are fastened together excepting after the removal of said collection receptacle; and the provision ofa construction preventing the lodgment or stoppage of the coins, tickets, or tokens at any point between the inspection box and the collection receptacle.

In addition to these, the particular object of the present invention is the provision of an operating means entirely difierent from that shown in the first mechanism whereby all of the same operations may be eflected; the provision of operating means having a minimum of opportunity for wear; and the provision of an arrangement of operating mechanism which will permit the conductor or other attendant to operate the box from a higher level than in the case of the former device; while further objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Generally speaking, the present invention may be defined as consisting of the combinations and constructions recited in the claims hereto annexed and illustrated, in one embodiment, in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete fare box; Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal, cross-sectional view through the same, the collection receptacle being shown in receiving position; Fig. 3 is a vertical, longitudinal, cross-sectional view through the box, the collection receptacle being illustrated in a partly inserted position; Fig. 4 is a vertical, transverse, crosssectional view taken upon the broken line l r and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the arrangement of the parts when the collection receptacle is absent; Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical, transverse, cross-sectional views taken upon the line 55 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, the operating parts being shown in difierent positions in the two views; Fig. 7 is a detail view taken upon the broken line 77 of 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and 8 is a perspective view of a collection receptacle prior to its insertion into the casing and showing the cover in partially open position.

Describing the parts by reference charactens. the casing of my improved fare box preferably consists of a rectangular hollow metal casting having walls 11, bottom 2,

back 3, and front 4, cast in a single piece but having an open top. The front 4: is formed adjacent to its lower portion with arec-e tangular aperture adapted for the reception of a swinging door 5, which is pivoted to the casing by means of a suitable hinge 6, and may be secured in closed position by means of a suitable look, as shown at 7. The rearward edge of the door is formed with an integral book 8 adapted to engage a suitable rim 9 carried by the casing so as to prevent the removal of the door-even if the hinge' should be tampered v.with or destroyed Projecting inwardly from each of the walls 11 is an integral, horizontal, rib 12 forming a, guide and to these guides is slida-bly' fitted a cash box or collection receptacle 13 illustrated generally in Fig. 8. This receptacle is preferably generally rectangular in shape and has at the upper margin of each of its sides a laterally projecting portion; 14 here formed as a part of the top of the receptacle, having a smooth lower edge adapted to rest upon the ribs 1212 and support the receptacle in its place. The inner end of the receptacle is formed at each side with a laterally projecting ear 15 adapted to fit beneaththe corresponding r1b 12 and so fix definitely the vertical position of the receptacle.

Pivoted to the top of the receptacle upon a transverse axis 16 intermediate the ends thereof is a cover 17. The width of this cover is preferably the same as that of the body of the receptacle and the projection 14 is preferably carried upwardly around the sides as at 17*, forming a recess adapted to contain the cover when the same is closed so as to prevent the insertion of a prying tool therebeneath. The free end of the coveris provided at each side with a laterally projecting ear 18 extending therefrom to substantially the same distance as the projection 14. Also at itsfree end the cover 17 is provided with a pair of parallel notched posts 1919 adapted to project into the apertures 2020 of a suitable lock carried by the end of the receptacle 13 and there be engaged by suitable spring-pressed locking members 21 whereby the cover will be held closed until those members are released by the rotation of the barrel 22 of that lock. The upper edge of each of the projections 14: is preferably notched as shown at 23 for the reception of the ears 18 when the cover is locked.

Formed in the interior of each of the walls 1 above the rib 12 is a guideway for the reception of the ears 18 and the consequent operation of the cover 17 This guideway has an inclined portion 25 leading upwardly and rearwardly from a point just within the door 5; a curved portion above and merging with said mclmed portlon,

rear of said inclined portion and also merging with said curved portion; and a hori-' Zontal portion 28 connecting the lower end of the vertical portion with the beginning,

of the inclined portion. This guideway is defined in the present embodiment between .ribs cast integral with the casing walls, al-

though it is obvious that the walls of these guideways need neither be narrow nor integral to effect the result'in view. At the junction of the vertical portion 27 and hori- Zontal portion 28 of this guideway the upper w'all thereof is formed of a curved or wedging shape as illustrated at 29 so that the ears'18 1 8 will be pressed downwardly as the reoeptacleis withdrawn. tion 28 is defined at its lower side by the rib 12, the total width of this portion of the guideway being not materially greater than the combined thickness of the projection 14 and ear 18 so as to effect the secure locking The porof the cover as the receptacle is withdrawn,

At the rearof the vertical portion 27 of this guideway the walls of the casing are formed with inwardly projecting shelves 3Q, the

lower edges whereof are spaced from the ribs a sufficient distance to permit the insertion therebetween of the projection 14 with the cover elevated, but to prevent the introduction of both the cover and projeccepta'cle except in the prescribed manner.

Pivoted to the inside of each of the casing walls above and concentric with the arcuate rib, portlon 1s a ratchet wheel 35, having slanting teeth, these teeth being so disposed that the abrupt portions thereof are presented toward the inclined portion 25 of the passageway. Also pivoted to the interior of this casing wallare suitable pawlsj38and the teeth either by springsor by gravity, as 1 maybe desired. The length of the pawls" tion. Thisprevents the insertion ofthe reand their position is arranged so as to stop the ratchet wheel with the inclined portions of the various teeth in substantialalinement with the vertical portion 27 of the guideway. All of the ratchet wheel excepting a.

portion adjacent to the rib 26 is covered and inclosed by a suitable plate 40, which is preferably secured in place by suitable screws 4C1 threaded into an upwardly facing shoulderadjacent to the top of the casing. The other portions of the plate may be steadied by having suitable projections 42 adapted to seat in suitable apertures formed in protuberances carried by the casing wall.

The open upper end of the casingis closed by means of a cover 45 which carries the inspection box, coin chute and operating parts, and prevents access to the rema nder of the mechanism. Said cover preferably consists of a flat metal plate having a depending marginal lip or flange 46 adapted to overlap the upper end of the casing wall. Formed in this cover at the portion above the inner end of the receptacle is anintegral hopper e7 terminating in a horizontal, flat, downwardly-facing ledge 48. Journaled at each side of said hopper in suitable brackets is a rock shaft 49, each of which is preferably parallel to the walls 11 of the casing, and carries at its rear end a radial arm 50, the ends of these arms being articulated to the ends of a link 51 whereby the shafts are caused to rock in unison. Secured to each of the shafts &9 inside of the hopper L7 is a leaf 52 which coiiperates with the leaf of the opposite shaft in forming a pair of folding doors whereby the passage through the hopper is closed. These leaves lie in the same planes as their shafts so as to fit tightly together when closed and when opened act as deflectors to drop the fares in the center of the receptacle.

Secured to the forward end of one of the shafts 49 is an arm 55, and pivoted to the end of this arm is a link 56. The opposite end of this link is pivoted at 57 to the depending arm 58' of an operating lever, itself 3e pivoted to the cover at 59 and here shown as having a horizontal arm 60 above and outside the cover and substantially parallel thereto, although any formation of lever can be used. It will be obvious that upon the swinging of this lever the shafts t9&9 will be rocked. A spring 61 connected to a suitable part of the cover and to a branch 62 of the link 56 normally maintains the leaves 52 in closed position. In order to prevent the opening of these leaves so as to discharge any coins, tickets, or tokens contained in the hopper 47 except that a collection receptacle be present to receive the same, a hook member 65 is pivoted to the hopper as at 66 and is formed on its lower face with an abrupt shoulder 67 adapted to engage a stop or abutment 68 carried by the arm 58 and prevent the swinging thereof. This hook member is also formed with a depending leg 69 ending in a forwardly projecting portion 70 which extends into the path of the cover 17 as illustrated in Figs. 2, 5, and 6 so as to'be displaced thereby sufliciently to free the shoulder 67 from the abutment 68.

In order to make sure that all fares in the hopper 47 have been transferred to the receptacle before the withdrawal of the same, it is desirable to arrange the mechanism so as to prevent the removal of the receptacle xcept when the leaves 52 are open. For this purpose I prolong the arm 58 below the pivot 57 to form an extension 75, and at the lower end of this extension 1 65 form a forwardly projecting arcuate flange 7 6. This flange normally projects sufiiciently near to the vertical portion 27 of the guideways to prevent the passage of the posts 19 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 unless the arm be swung laterally as illustrated in Fig. 6 so as to open the leaves 52 whereupon the receptacle can be removed without 0bstruction.

The receptacle 13 is introduced into the casing with its cover partially open, where upon the ears 18 18 ride upwardly along the inclined passageways 25 and come into contact with the ratchet wheels 35 which they advance sufficiently to permit them to pass into the vertical passageways 27. The arcuate flange 7 6 is so disposed with reference to this ratchet wheel that the posts 1919 just clear the edge of the same during the insertion of the receptacle as illustrated'in Fig. 3, so that no manipulation of any kind is necessary for the insert-ion of the receptacle excepting to slide the same longitudinally along its guides 1212. During the insertion of this receptacle the edge of the cover 17 engages the portion 70 of the hook thereby lifting the same out of contact with the abutment 68 and permitting the swinging of the lever 58. The removal of the receptacle is impossible until the arm 58 has been swung laterally, whereupon a mere pull upon the handle thereof withdraws it, the guideway 27 meanwhile returning the cover 17 to closed position. I preferably employ in connection with the look a pair of protrudable bolts located in suitable apertures 80 formed in the wall of the receptacle and adapted to be retracted only while the securing members of the lock are in engaging position, as disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application hereinbefore mentioned. This construction prevents any dishonest employee from gaining access to the receptacle by the expedient of wedging the lock, since this wedging would cause the protrusion of these members so as 110 to engage suitable ribs or stops 81 carried by the casing and prevent the withdrawal of the receptacle.

Below the leaves 5252 the hopper is extended to form a chute 85 whereby the coins, 115 tokens, or tickets are conveyed directly to the receptacle. This chute being integral with the hopper and with the cover 45 also preferably forms a means for securing the cover in place, such securing being effected 120 by means of bolts 86 secured to the chute and passing through an apertured lug 87 carried by the wall of the casing and secured in place by thumb nuts 88, the whole being so located behind the cover 17 as to 125 be inaccessible so long as the receptacle is in place. Suitable shelves or baffle plates 89 may also be formed within the casing so as to prevent coins or tokens from rebounding out of the receptacle and so as to minimize vent the lateral movement thereof, one of said members being arranged to be engaged by a part of said receptacle and displaced out of engagement with the other member so as to permit the free operation of said gate while said receptacle is in receiving position.

5. In a fare box, the combination, with a rectangular casing and a receptacle insertible between the side walls thereof, said receptacle having a movable cover and a spring lock adapted to prevent the opening of said cover once the same has been closed, of a hopper carried by said casing and having a discharge opening beneath which said receptacle is inserted, a rock shaft journaled at the side of said hopper parallel to said side walls, a leaf carried by said shaft and adapted to obstruct said opening, an arm pivoted to said casing upon an axis parallel to said shaft and depending between said side walls, operative connections between said arm and shaft whereby the same will be swung together, a projecting flange carried by said arm, projecting devices carried by said cover, means for automatically raising said cover upon the introduction of said receptacle into said casing and to guide said projecting devices into a position above said flange, whereby removal of said receptacle is prevented except upon the swinging of said arm, and means for closing said cover upon the removal of said receptacle from said casing.

6. In a fare box, the combination, with a casing and a receptacle insertible between the side walls thereof, said receptacle having an upwardly swinging cover, of a hopper carried by said casing and having a discharge opening beneath which said receptacle is inserted, a gate for closing the passage through said hopper, means normally maintaining said gate in closed position, a member pivoted to said casing upon an axis parallel with said side walls and operatively connected to said gate so as to be swung laterally simultaneously with the opening thereof, a gravity operated locking member carried by said casing and adapted to engage said pivoted member when said gate is closed in a manner to prevent the lateral movement thereof, and means for raising said cover upon the insertion of said receptacle into said casing, said locking member being arranged to be engaged by said cover and raised out of engagement with the pivoted member so as to permit the free operation of said gate while said receptacle is in receiving position.

7. In a fare box, the combination, with a casing and a receptacle insertible therein, said receptacle having a cover pivoted thereon upon an axis transverse to the direction of its movement, and a spring lock adapted to prevent the opening of said cover once the same has been closed, of a hopper carried by said casing and having a discharge opening beneath which said receptacle is inserted, gate for closing the passage through said hopper, means normally maintaining said gate in closed position, a pivoted member operatively connected to said gate so as to be swung laterally upon the opening thereof, said pivoted member having an abutment, a hook pivoted to said casing and extending above said abutment and adapted to engage the same when said gate is closed in a manner to prevent the lateral movement of said pivoted member, interengaging means carried by said cover and said casing for raising said cover upon the insertion of said receptacle into the casing, said hook member being arranged to be raised by said cover out of contact with said abutment so as to permit the free movement of said pivoted member while said receptacle is in retaining position.

8. In a fare box, the combination, with a casing and a receptacle insertible therein, of a hopper carried by said casing and having a discharge opening beneath which said receptacle is inserted, gate mechanism adapted to close the passage to said hopper, means normally maintaining said gate mechanism in closed position, a pivoted member operatively connected to said gate mechanism and adapted to be moved simultaneously therewith, and a hook member pivoted to said casing and adapted to engage said pivoted member to prevent the opening of said gate mechanism in the absence of said receptacle from the casing, a part of said receptacle being formed to engage one of said members and displace the same out of obstructing contact with the other member upon the insertion of said receptacle, a part of said pivoted member being also formed for interengagement with a part of said receptacle to prevent the withdrawal of said receptacle excepting with said gate mechanism in open position.

9. In a fare box, the combination, with a casing and a receptacle insertible therein, said receptacle having an upwardly swinging cover and a spring pressed locking detent, and said cover having a rigid post adapted to be engaged by said detent upon the closing of the same, of a hopper carried by said casing and having a discharge opening beneath which said receptacle is inserted, a gate adapted to close the passage through said hopper, means normally maintaining said gate in closed position, a. pivoted member carried by said casing and operatively connected to said gate so as to be swung laterally upon the opening thereof, a hook member pivoted to said casing and adapted to engage said pivoted member to prevent the opening of said gate in the absence of said receptacle from the casing,

interengaging projections formed upon said casing and covenand adapted'to raise said cover upon the insertion of the receptacle into thecasing'and close the same upon the withdrawal thereof, said cover being formed to engage said hook member and raise the same out of obstructing contact with said pivoted member upon the insertion of said receptacle, and saidpivoted member being formed with a laterally projecting flange adapted to engagesaid post and prevent the withdrawal of said receptacle except when said gate is in open position. 1

10. Ir'ia farebox, thecombination, with a casing and'areceptacle insertible therein, said receptacle having an upwardly swing-. ing cover and a-sprin' pressed locking cletent, and said "cover having a rigid post adapted to be engagedby said detent upon the closing of the same,'of a hopper carried byisaid casing and having a discharge openingbeneath which said receptacle is inserted, gate mechanism adapted to close the passage, through said hopper, meansnorm-ally mainta-iningsaid gatemechanism in closed position,-'and a pi'voted member carried by said casing-and operatively-connected' to said gate mechanism so' as to be swung laterally upon the opening thereof, said pivoted memher being formed withfa horizontally pro-' 'jecting flange,-- interengaging projections formed upon said casing and cover, and adapted to raise" said cover upon the insertion-of the *receptacle into the casing" and close the same upon the withdrawal-thereof, said projections being formed to guide said post past and above saidflange upon the insertion of said receptacle and downwardly against saidflange upon the withdrawal of said receptacle,- whereby the withdrawal of said receptacle is prevente'd-exceptwith said gate mechanismin open position. 1 I -11. In a fare box, the combination, with a casing and a receptacle insertible therein, said receptacle having a cover pivoted upon an axis transverse to the direction of movement thereof. and said casing and cover being formed with 'interfitting projections and guideways whereby said cover is moved to open position upon the insertion of said receptacle and is closed upon the removal of said receptacle, of a chute carried by said casing and having a discharge opening beneathwhich said receptacleis inserted, a rock' shaft journaled at the side of'said chute, agate secured to said rock shaft and adapted to obstruct the passage through said chute, an arm carried by said rock shaft, a reciprocable link articulated to said arm, a manually operated lever pivoted to said. casing so as to swing in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of said' receptacle, said arm being connected to said link, a-" spring maintaining 'said gate normally closed, a rigid projection on said cover, a

flange carried by said arm and adaptedto engage saidrigid projection "to prevent 'Ythe removal 'of' said receptacle except said gate be "open. 12. In a device of the character formed upon opposite walls in front ofsaid opening, the walls-of said casing being also first guideways and at a distance from said opening and with upwardlyinchned guideways originating m front of said opening upper ends with said vertical guideway, of a receptacle insertible in said casing and formed to slide upon said first'guidewaysa cover pivoted to said receptacle upon an axis guideways and said vertical guideways adapted-to permit them'ovement ofthe vent retrograde movement thereof, a chute carried by'said casing and beneath which placeable means normallyclosing the pasways "and adapted to be swung transversely member and extending into proximity" to said vertical guideways wherebynthe .movemerit 'of'said cover thereal'ong is prevented during the time that said obstructing means is closed.

a rectangular casing and areceptacle i'nreceptacle having a movable cover, of a hopcharge openingbeneath which said recepleaf includingthe' axis of its'shaft and said leaves fittlng closely against said ledge and described, the combination, with a rectangular casing having an opening in one of its sides, and having substantially horizontal guideways and above said first guideway's, said inclined guldeways communicating at their rear and substantially transverse to the direction of the lower 'portion' of said vertical guide lock'carriedby said receptacle and adapted. to retain said cover in closed position',"irr e-' cover projections from the inclined guide-Q ways to the vertical guideways and to pre-' sertible'between the side walls thereof, said per carried by said casing and having a disk formed with vertical guideways'above said for the purpose of closing firmly said cover said receptacle is adapted to be'inserted, dis- I sage way through ,said'chute, a pivoted mem ber carried by said casingabove said guide-n of said casing, operative connections between sald ,member and said obstructmg means, and a pI0]6Ct10I1 carried by said pivoted 13. In a fare box, the combination, with table is inserted, there being a downwardly facing ledge about said opening, a 'rock' shaft journaled at eachsideofsaid hopper and'p-arallel to said side walls," a leafrigidly secured-to'each shaft, thefplane of each closed position, means normall maintaining In testimony whereof, I hereunto ailix my said leaves in confiact wlth sa ledge, means signature in the presence of two witnesses. for depressing smd leaves simultaneously so as to discharge fares into the middle of said WALTER COOK ES receptacle, and means for automatically clos- Witnesses:

ing said cover upon the removal of said re- GEORGE H. Scorr,

ceptacle from said casing. HAROLD E. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0."' 

